Since Ken's one and only rule is to not be easily annoyed and on another ranch site, I participate some greenhorn posted the question what "small things annoy ranchers" I submit this story for your consideration and discussion on what do you consider easily annoying. What easily annoys you? Having established that ranchers that allow small things to annoy them, quickly become not ranchers, I wish to share a story about one of my great aunties, a lifelong southwest Texas rancher. Some thought she was easily annoyed, but I disagree. Being part American Indian, she had rules of conduct that seemed extreme to some, especially young "cowboys" and she was labeled as easily annoyed. The Cowboy Hat When you entered her front door there was an area with several pegs for hanging hats. When young grandson Dan brought his new rodeo buddy over for a homemade ice cream social, the young man failed to remove his hat. He could easily see all others hatless with their hats on the pegs. I was trying to signal to this cowboy to remove his new hat that had just come out of the box. Even an old weathered hat was never worn past that checkpoint, not by anyone that cared about their hat anyway. He was purposely trying to draw attention to his new "cowboy" hat. Well, auntie came in and in one quick backhand sent his hat flying across the room. She then went over picked it up, beat it across her knees as the lad gasped, and said that his hat was new and 20X beaver. She then took it to the hot water soapy filled kitchen sink and worked it around in there for a bit and then we all followed her into the backyard where she beat it unmerciful against a tree, then we all followed her to her garden where she had piled some fresh manure. After tossing it in the manure and using the rounded handle end of a 5 prong manure fork to work it around a bit, she retrieves it takes it over to the hose, and washes it off. We all noticed it looked a bit "under the weather." A few more slaps to the knees and she hands it back to the guest cowboy and says, "You got robbed young man, that dadblamed hat is all Japanese felt."
True story: I had something like "the cowboy hat" happen to me. After I bought a new pair of Ariat Lace-Up Roper Boots. Went to a rodeo to help stock contractor (Fly "U" Rodeo Co.) in the Timed Event area (sort/load steers and calves and help judge pull the barrier line). A couple of steer wrestlers, that I knew, seen my brand new boots and asked me "Cody are those new?" and I said "yes, why?". One said to me, "they are too clean. Just can't have that!". So, both proceeded to kick arena dirt all over them. I knew the exact "what and why" they were doing it. "Now, shovel up some dirt yourself on the top of each boot", I was told. So, I did that. Well, those brand new Ariat Roper boots definitely didn't look new anymore and I looked at both steer wrestlers and said "thanks guys" with a smile.